UFC Boss ends BJ Penn’s UFC career: “That’s it. That’s a wrap.”
BJ Penn will not fight Nik Lentz as planned. The former lightweight and welterweight UFC champion has been involved in three separate street fights, on two occasions, in just over two months. All the scuffles were caught on video and later uploaded to the internet. Now UFC president Dana White has had a chance to see the videos, and out his foot down. He has decided to end Penn’s UFC career.
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“He won’t fight again. That’s it. That’s a wrap,” White told ESPN’s Brett Okamoto. “It’s not even that this was the last straw. I didn’t love him continuing to fight anyway. But when you have the relationship that he and I have, and he’s getting me on the phone begging me for another fight, begging me for another opportunity, it’s hard for me to turn him down.
“But after what I saw on that video, B.J. needs to focus on his personal life and get himself together before he thinks about fighting again.”
While Penn commented on the incident in a new interview, acknowledging that it wasn’t a good look for the former champ. White has taken the string of violence much more seriously, has no doubts in ending Penn’s UFC career, and wants him to sort his life out.
“What I saw on that video was sad. I love the kid, and I hope he gets his life together. Obviously, the guy calls me and I’m still putting him in fights. If B.J. needed me, all he’s got to do to is pick up the phone and ask. If he does, I’m sure he’ll call, if he doesn’t, I hope he gets his life together.”
As of now it’s not clear what Penn’s next step is, now that his UFC career has come to an end. We at MMAnytt wish Penn a healthy recovery.
